Bmc Fam Pract
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Improvement of primary health care of patients with poorly regulated diabetes mellitus type 2 using shared decision-making--the DEBATE trial.
Since 2004, a national Disease Management Program (DMP) has been implemented in Germany, which includes educational measures aimed at patients with type-2 diabetes (T2D). However, about 15-20% of T2D patients remain in poor metabolic control. Qualitative research shows that one reason for this might be an increasing frustration of general practitioners (GPs) with the management of their poorly regulated T2D patients over time. We aim at approaching this problem by improving the GP-patient-communication and fostering shared decision-making. ⋯ If this intervention proves to be effective it may be integrated into the existing Disease Management Program for T2D in Germany.